In a nutshell
- Corcovado is the largest national park in Costa Rica and one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world — honestly one of THE highlights of our Costa Rica trip.
- In this article, we’ve put together everything you need to know before you go — from getting there to booking your tour.
- We recommend Drake Bay as your base. Our top hotel pick: Hotel Finca Maresia — cozy, modern cottages with hammocks and big verandas.
- Traveling by car? Puerto Jiménez is the smarter base. Our pick there: Danta Corcovado Lodge — uniquely decorated lodges right in the middle of nature.
- Most important of all: you must book a guided tour in advance — no guide, no entry. We did a day tour from Drake Bay and loved every minute: Hike in Corcovado National Park with Lunch.
What You Need to Know About Corcovado National Park
- Corcovado National Park is the largest national park in Costa Rica.
- It’s one of the most biodiverse rainforests in the world, with 13 different ecosystems — from dense rainforest to tropical beaches.
- Among locals, Corcovado is the most beloved national park and one of the top attractions in Costa Rica.
- Corcovado is the only place where all four Central American monkey species live: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and squirrel monkeys.
- We recommend visiting during the dry season from December to April.
Where Is Corcovado National Park?
Corcovado National Park sits on the southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica. To help you get your bearings, we’ve marked the national park on a map.
What You Can Do in Corcovado National Park
In Corcovado you can spend hours hiking through the jungle. We spotted monkeys, sloths, birds, insects, a crocodile, and even a tapir mother with her baby.
It’s the only national park in Costa Rica where you can only enter with a guided tour. You can’t explore the rainforest on your own.
Getting to Corcovado National Park
Your guide takes care of transportation to the national park — either by car or by boat.
Most tours start from a town near the park, most often Drake Bay or Puerto Jiménez.
Starting Point: Drake Bay
The most popular jumping-off point for visiting Corcovado National Park is Drake Bay.
Getting to Drake Bay by Car
The drive from San José to Drake Bay takes about seven hours.
Past the Rincón area, the road is no longer paved and you’ll have to cross one or two rivers — a real little adventure! For that reason, we strongly recommend an all-wheel-drive vehicle (4×4).
Heads up: Check river levels before you go. Especially during the rainy season, they can run so high that crossing by car isn’t possible.
Getting to Drake Bay by Bus and Boat
If you want to travel by public transportation, you’ll first need to take the bus to Sierpe. There’s a direct bus from San José departing from the Tracopa bus terminal (open in Google Maps).
The bus runs twice daily at 8:30 AM and 3:00 PM. You can buy tickets on the spot; they cost about $15. The journey takes around seven hours.
You can also board in Quepos (near Manuel Antonio National Park) or in the town of Uvita, as the bus passes through both — perfect if those spots are already on your Costa Rica road trip itinerary.
Once you arrive in Sierpe, you take a boat to Drake Bay. The dock is right next to the restaurant Donde Jorge Bar (open in Google Maps).
Departure times are coordinated with bus arrivals, so you can almost always get a boat. The ride costs about $25 and takes 45 minutes.
Getting to the Boat Dock by Minivan
As an alternative to the bus, you can book a shared minivan. It’s usually faster and more comfortable, though a bit pricier.
We’d recommend buying your minivan ticket online in advance through the booking platform 12Go.
Browse minivans to Sierpe on 12Go
Accommodations in Drake Bay
Mirians Place Drake: A small, budget-friendly place with a well-equipped room and shared kitchen.
Hotel Finca Maresia: Cozy, modern cottages with large verandas and hammocks — great for unwinding after a long day on the trail.
The Sunset Tucano Lodge: Beautiful, lovingly decorated lodges right in the middle of nature. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner included.
Starting Point: Puerto Jiménez
Getting to Puerto Jiménez by Car
Without stops, the drive from San José to Puerto Jiménez takes about six hours. The roads are partially unpaved, but still in better shape than the ones leading to Drake Bay.
Getting to Puerto Jiménez by Bus
From San José, one direct bus runs daily to Puerto Jiménez. It departs from the Autotransportes Blanco Lobo terminal (open in Google Maps) at noon, takes about eight hours, and costs around $20.
At the moment, you can only buy tickets on-site, as the bus company’s website isn’t working. Worth checking again before your trip, though.
Getting to Puerto Jiménez by Plane
If you’d rather skip the long drive or bus ride, flying is a solid option. Both Puerto Jiménez and Drake Bay have a small airstrip.
The airline Sansa flies multiple times a day from San José to both destinations and back.
Both flights take just 50 minutes, and one-way tickets start at $160.
The easiest way to find flights is through Skyscanner.
Accommodations in Puerto Jiménez
Cabinas Jimenez: Simple budget hotel with a lovely ocean view and complimentary canoes and bicycles.
Danta Corcovado Lodge: Seriously unique lodges right in the heart of nature, about 30 minutes by car from Puerto Jiménez.
Iguana Lodge Beach Resort: Light-filled, stylishly appointed rooms with a large pool and a beautiful yoga area.
How to Book Your Tour and Guided Hike in Corcovado National Park
Since you can’t explore Corcovado on your own, you’ll need to book a guided tour.
A day tour costs about $100. That might sound steep at first, but it’s absolutely worth it. We did the day tour with lunch from Drake Bay ourselves and were completely blown away.
We spotted loads of wildlife, and hiking through the dense jungle was a once-in-a-lifetime experience — a real adventure from start to finish.
You can book either at your accommodation on-site or online in advance. There are also multi-day tours where you sleep inside the national park — seriously cool!
We always prefer booking online since it gives you more peace of mind when planning.
Our tour recommendations from Drake Bay:
Day Tour in Corcovado National Park with Lunch
2-Day Hike with Overnight Stay from Drake Bay
Our tour recommendations from Puerto Jiménez:
Full-Day Tour through Corcovado National Park with Lunch
Checklist for Your Visit to Corcovado National Park
- Book a guided tour in advance. Our top pick: Day Tour in Corcovado National Park with Lunch from Drake Bay
- Wear sturdy hiking shoes and bring a swimsuit, a rain jacket, an extra pair of socks, and a dry bag.
- Pack your own binoculars — you’ll use them constantly.
- Bring a reusable water bottle. Single-use plastic bottles from the supermarket are not allowed inside the park.
- If you’re spending the night in the park: pack a towel and everything you need for the overnight stay.
Our Personal Tips for Visiting Corcovado National Park
If you’re doing a Costa Rica road trip by car, we recommend Puerto Jiménez as your base. The road is in better condition and you won’t be caught off guard by river flooding.
If you’re traveling by bus, Drake Bay is the better choice. The boat ride from Sierpe is exciting and the scenery along the way is breathtakingly beautiful.
Frequently Asked Questions About Corcovado National Park
What makes Corcovado National Park so special?
Corcovado is one of the wildest and most biodiverse national parks in the world.
You’ll encounter tapirs, monkeys, macaws — all in the middle of near-pristine rainforest. There’s no mass tourism here, just jungle, beach, and a genuine wildlife adventure.
When is the best time to visit Corcovado National Park?
The rainy season is actually considered the best time to visit Costa Rica’s national parks overall — but flooding can be a real issue during this period.
Even though we visited in July ourselves, we’d recommend the dry season from December to April for the most hassle-free experience.
How many days should you plan for Corcovado?
For a day tour in Corcovado National Park, plan for at least three days and two nights in the area: Day 1 to arrive and settle in, Day 2 for the tour, and Day 3 to head out.
Can you enter Corcovado National Park without a guide?
No — access is only permitted with a licensed guide. This protects the ecosystem, and as a bonus, you’ll get fascinating insight into the animals, plants, and history of the park along the way.
